CLT121. Death and the Afterlife in Literature. Research Paper

CLT121 
(Death and the Afterlife in Literature)
Writing Assignment
I. Formal requirements
A. Length:  The paper should run four to six pages in length, not including the bibliography.
B. Program:  The final draft of the paper must be generated in MicroSoft Word.
C. Font and font size:  The paper must be typed in the font Times and in font size twelve.
D. Double spacing:  The paper must be double spaced.
E. Digital format:  The paper must be submitted in digital format by midnight, April 28.
F. Bibliography:  You will be required to incorporate a minimum of two articles or chapters from books into the paper and to cite these works in a short bibliography appended to the paper itself.
G. Format:  Please follow MLA (Modern Language Association) guidelines for both the paper and the bibliography.
H. Name:  Be sure to include your name, your SB i.d. number, and the course number in the upper right corner of the first page of your paper.
I. Due date:  Midnight, April 28th.
II. Topic, Thesis, and Argument
A. Topic:  Your topic must concern death or some aspect of it in relation to one or more of the works listed on the syllabus.
B. Thesis:  After you have chosen a topic, you will need to articulate a thesis about that topic.  The thesis thus becomes the point to be proven in your argument.
C. Argument:  Your argument should develop in logical fashion the ideas needed to persuade the reader of the validity of your thesis.
D. Structure:   On the basis of the preceding, the structure of your paper should include the following:
1. Introduction (just a paragraph in most cases)
2. Thesis (ordinarily presented at the end of the introduction)
3. Argument
4. Conclusion (a reiteration of the validity of the thesis)
E. If you get stuck, you may wish to consider the following topics:
1. What does the title of The Death of Ivan Ilyich mean in relation to the experience that Ivan Ilyich undergoes?
2. How does Kafka intend for the reader to understand not only the metamorphosis of Gregor Samsa, but also his death?  To what extent is Gregor’s death a sacrifice?
3. Compare and contrast the theme of infanticide in Medea and Beloved.  Do both Medea and Sethe act according to the same motivation?4. Death and vengeance seem to go hand in glove in Hamlet, but does Hamlet actually seek to avenge his father’s murder?  How does Shakespeare mean for us to understand Hamlet’s motivation?
III.   Notes on style
A. Avoid passive voice.  Active voice will make your argument more forceful.
B. Avoid indefinite subjects, such as “it is,” “there are,” and the like.  Indefinite subjects weaken arguments by obscuring causal connections.  Be clear about who did what to whom.
C. Beware of run-on sentences.  As a general rule, pare your sentences down to essentials.  Simple, straightforward syntax will clarify your thought.
D. As a corollary, simple sentences should predominate over complex sentences. 
E. Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly and only when needed.
F. Avoid repetition. 
G. Be specific.  Don’t get lost in a forest of generalities.  Heed the good advice of William Blake, and focus on “divine particulars.”
H. Remember that clarity should be your primary stylistic goal.
IV.   Grading
A. Grade scale:  As noted in the syllabus, the paper will be graded according to the following scale:
A+ 100
A 96
A- 93
B+ 90
B 86
B- 83
C+ 80
C 76
C- 73
D+ 70
D 66
D- 63
F 0
B. Grading criteria:
1. Articulation of thesis statement
2. Argumentation and persuasiveness of argument
3. Research and incorporation of research into the argument
4. Adherence to formal requirements outlined above 
5. Mechanics (spelling, punctuation, grammar, and so forth)
6. Submission by due date.